Teach Engineering
How Effective is Your Sunscreen?
Protect skin from UV radiation! Groups design and conduct an experiment to test the effectiveness of UV safety products. The groups collect the data from the experiment and prepare a lab report. In the second day of the activity,...
EngageNY
Experiments and the Role of Random Assignment
Time to experiment with mathematics! Learners study experimental design and how randomization applies. They emphasize the difference between random selection and random assignment and how both are important to the validation of the...
American Physiological Society
Feeling the Heat
How do the changing seasons affect the homes where we live? This question is at the forefront of engineering and design projects. Challenge your physical science class to step into the role of an architect to build a model home...
Curated OER
Testing a New Drug 1
High schoolers act as chief research scientists with the responsibility of testing a new drug. Students design a controlled experiment to test a hypothetical experimental drug. High schoolers write a clear, concise, and detailed plan to...
American Physiological Society
Sticky Adaptations A Lesson on Natural Selection
Now you see it, now you don't! The stick bug exhibits the ability to disappear into a wooded environment. Why does this adaptation manifest in some species, but not in others? Life science students explore animal adaptations in nature...
Curated OER
Drinking Water and Water Purification
Sixth graders design experiments to compare the amount of bacteria in river water to the amount in purified tap water. They explore how water purification removes bacteria and pollution from the water. Students examine the steps of the...
Nuffield Foundation
Investigating Anti-Microbial Action
Join the fight against bacteria. An open investigation shows pupils different aspects of antimicrobial substances, such as disinfectants, deodorants, or plant oils. They design and conduct their own experiments on the effectiveness of...
Curated OER
Observation Milk Fat Lesson
Turn your class loose to experiment with the different fat content in skim milk, whole milk, half and half, and heavy cream. This is a visually vibrant experiment, as learners drip food coloring on the surface of the products and measure...
Curated OER
Teaching the Scientific Method through Exploration of Bacteria and Antibiotics
Middle schoolers explore scientific method and scientific investigation They conduct an investigation using bacteria and antibiotics. In addition, they verbalize their experimental results.
Curated OER
Dissolved Oxygen and Respiration
Students are presented with the question, "Do plants that grow underwater use oxygen?" They create an experiment to test the presence of dissolved oxygen in the water using provided materials. Student experiments include a control jar as...
Curated OER
Population Density
Students use the scientific method to conduct an experiment and use varied methods to gather background information. They correctly use lab equipment and prepare tables and graphs that organize, conclude, and present their findings. ...
Curated OER
Science: Put Your Heart into Engineering
Students examine the heart and vascular system and the need for artificial valves. After explaining how heart valves function, they design their own heart valves for experimentation. They predict the speed of fluid flowing through...
Curated OER
Wildlife Study Comparison
Environmental science classes read articles about two different scientific studies. One is about the effects of contraceptive chemicals on fertility, and the other is about how a pesticide may be reducing bone density in exposed...
Curated OER
Energy Eccentricity
Young scholars assess their own energy use to help develop an awareness of the different types of natural resources affected by consumers. Their calculations show them how much they are personally impacting the Earth. Very meaningful and...
University of Minnesota
Virtual Neurons
It's electric! Young anatomists use Virtual Neurons software to build, control, and analyze complex nerve circuits within the body. Colorful and packed with content, class members enjoy interacting with the nervous system...
Curated OER
Herbal Medicines
Young scholars become critical thinkers about substances that are called medicines and it guides them into an inquiry process of carrying out their own investigations of the attributes of some common herbal remedies.
Curated OER
Sports Screeners
Students watch videos to discover the amount of physical activity in film and television. They present their findings to the class after viewing a film. They discuss how perceptions in films can influence young people.
Curated OER
Science: Testing Water for Toxicity
Learners investigate the potential toxicity of water samples using California blackworms to test water quality. They observe the worms' behaviors in different water samples and determine which sample has the highest toxicity. At the...
Curated OER
Wildlife Study Comparison
Students compare/contrast two studies that examine the effects of environmental contaminants on animals. They read an article, identify the components of a research study, summarize the article, and complete a matrix.
Curated OER
The Flame and the Atom:
Students investigate the structure of atoms. Students read information about the Rutherford model, the Bohr model, and the Quantum Mechanical model examining each for its scientific validity. They watch a PowerPoint presentation of alpha...
Curated OER
Measuring Water Quality
High schoolers are introduced to the various methods of measuring water quality. In groups, they test various water samples using the different methods, writing them down for pH, oxygen, salinity, and nitrate levels. They use their...